V-shape blocks having flanges and notches for stacking

ABSTRACT

Toy building blocks which are, generally, V-shaped in crosssection and have locking notches in the lower sidewall edges thereof for permitting them to be stacked atop one another. Some blocks may include flanges projecting from the sidewalls adapted to support the lower edges of others. Still other blocks may be angular or curved instead of straight. The locking notches may have means adapted to receive and secure wheels to the blocks.

Unlted States Patent 1111 3,834,067 Koleczek Sept. 10, 1974 V-SHAPEBLOCKS HAVING FLANGES AND 2,078,709 4/1937 Hecht 46/16 x 3,224,13712/1965 Wright et a1 46/17 X 76 T lf l i l k 16531 S D220,877 6/1971Tigerman 46/25 UX t 1 ggggg figf L 91607 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS[22] Filed May 15 1970 439,159 4/1912 France 46/24 [21] Appl. No.:37,593 Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay 52 US. 01. 46/25, 46/24 [57]AFSTRACT 51 1m. 01 A63h 33/08 TOY bulldmg blocks whlch generally,V'ShaPed [58] Field of Search 46/30 31 29 25 26 cross-section and havelocking notches in the lower 46/21 sidewall edges thereof for permittingthem to be stacked atop one another. Some blocks may include [56]References Cited flanges projecting from the sidewalls adapted tosupport the lower edges of others. Still other blocks may UNITED STATESPATENTS be angular or curved instead of straight. The locking SE1 25 3notches may have means adapted to receive and se- 1e s 1,601,401 9/1926List 46/25 ux cure Wheels to the blocks 1,690,178 11/1928 Reeves 46/21 X11 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures V-SIIAPE BLOCKS HAVING FLANGES AND NOTCHESFOR STACKING This invention relates, in general, to toy building blocksand, in particular, to toy building blocks which are easily andcompactly nestable for storage.

Numerous difierent types of building blocks for children are presentlyavailable, and each type generally offers certain advantages andfeatures different from the others. Also, most children prefer one typeof building blocks over the others, for one reason or another.

Regardless of the type of building blocks a child might prefer, it isusually necessary for him to have a large number of them so that he canbuild various different types of structures. In the usual case, storageis a problem because of the enormous amount of space required to store alarge number of the blocks. Expense also is a factor when purchasing theblocks, particularly if a large number of them are being purchased tosatisfy a childs desires. Then too, most conventional blocks are of adesign which limits the types of structures and designs which can becreated.

The toy building blocks of the present invention are easily andcompactly nestable so that storage presents few, if any problems. Theblocks also can be easily and inexpensively formed so that the purchaseprice of even a large number of them can be held at a reasonably lowprice. The design is such that numerous different structures, designsand even objects resembling trains, cars and the like can be created,all of which adds to the enjoyment which a child can have in playingwith the blocks.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention ro provideimproved toy building blocks.

Another object is to provide improved toy building blocks which areeasily and compactly nestable for storage.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessingthe features, properties, and the relation of elements which will beexemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are an end plan view and a side plan view of a toybuilding block exemplary of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view generally illustrating the manner in which a number ofthe blocks can be stacked atop one another;

FIG. 4 is an end plan view generally illustrating the manner in whichthe blocks can be nestably stacked;

FIG. 5 is a view generally illustrating the proportional relationship ofthe blocks and the locking notches therein;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are end plan and perspective views, respectively, of ablock exemplary of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are end plan and side plan views, respectively, of a blockhaving a slightly different crosssectional configuration;

FIGS. I0 and I l are end plan and side plan views, rcspcctivcly, ofstill another cross-sectional configuration of the blocks;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are top plan and side plan views, respectively, of asquare-comer toy building block;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are top plan and side plan views, respectively, of acurved-comer toy building block;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views generally illustrating the mannerin which an axle and wheels can be removably affixed to the blocks.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a toybuilding block 10 exemplary of the invention, and it can be seen thatthe block 10 is simply an elongated length of material which is V-shapedin cross-section, having a pair of sidewalls 11 and 12 connected attheir upper edges to form the apex of the V- shape. In use, the V-shapedblock 10 is, of course, normally inverted so that it stands on the edgesof the two sidewalls 11 and 12. The apex of the V-shaped block 10preferably is slightly round or arcuate in shape, as illustrated, andmeans are provided at the side wall lower edges to seatingly receive theupper connected side wall edges of blocks placed therebelow. To providesuch means, each of the two sidewalls l1 and 12 has at least twospaced-apart locking notches l3 and 14 in the lower edge thereof whichare correspondingly shaped so that the apex of another like block 10 canseat within them. The locking notches 13 in each of the side walls 11and 12 are oppositely aligned one another, as are the locking notches14, so that the apex of another block 10 will seat in an aligned pair ofthe locking notches 13, or 14, in the sidewalls l1 and 12. When seatedin this fashion, the two blocks 10 are perpendicular to one another.

The toy building blocks 10 can be formed in numerous different lengthsand heights, so that a large variety of different size blocks can beprovided which, of course, permits a whole host of different structuresand designs to be created. As an example, the blocks 10 can be providedin lengths of 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12 inches, and in heights which vary fromapproximately /2 to 2 inches or more. The blocks 10 also can befabricated of many different materials such as, for example, plastic,paper pulp, fiberboard and the like, and in many different colors, ifdesired. A preferred material is a plastic such as polyethylene orpolypropylene which is fairly strong and fairly rigid, since plastics ofthis type are easily molded and are relatively inexpensive.

Regardless of the length or height of the blocks 10, there is a minimumproportional relationship which must be maintained in order that theblocks 10 have the greatest versatility. For example, in referring toFIG. 5, the distance b between the centerlines of the locking notches 13and 14 should be at least equal to the spread or distance a between thesidewalls 11 and 12 so that two blocks 10 can be placed with the loweredges of the sidewalls abutting one another, as illustrated in FIG. 5,and the apexes thereof will still seat in the respective pairs oflocking notches l3 and 14in another block 10 seated atop them. If thespacing between these locking notches l3 and 14 is less than thisminimum, the apex of one of the bottom blocks will not seat in one ofthe locking notches 13, or 14, of the top block. In such a case, thestacked blocks will be unstable. The spacing or distance b between theselocking notches can be greater than the spread or distance a between thesidewalls 11 and 12, in which case, the blocks 10 can be stacked asillustrated in FIG. 3.

The length between the centerlines of the locking notches l3 and 14 andthe respective edges of the blocks preferably, but not necessarily, areat least equal to one-half the spread or distance a between thesidewalls 11 and 12. With this relationship, the opposite edges of thetop block, as in FIG. 5, do not extend or overlap the outermost edges ofthe two outboard sidewalls of the bottom blocks, and the blocks can bestacked more attractively and more uniformily. Also, the distance orlength 0 at each of the opposite edges of the blocks 10 preferably areof equal dimensions but, again, they need not be.

If a variety of different size blocks 10 are provided, from the above itcan be seen that each of the difierent size blocks preferably has aminimum length which is equal to two times the spread or distance abetween the sidewalls 11 and 12 of another block of the same size. Whiledifferent length and different height blocks can be provided, the anglea between the sidewalls 11 and 12 preferably and advantageously is thesame on all of the blocks. Such an arrangement permits all of thedifferent size blocks to be easily and compactly nested, as illustratedin FIG. 4. Of course, if the angle 01" is maintained the same on onlythe blocks of the same dimensions, a number of nested stacks of thedifferent size blocks can be formed, for storing them. In most cases,the angle a will not vary to the degree that all of the different sizeblocks cannot be stacked in a nested relationship, by nestably stackingthe smaller blocks atop the larger blocks. The fact that the angle a isdifferent for different size blocks does, however, have the advantagethat the blocks can be easily and quickly nestably stacked, for storageand ready identification of the different size blocks. In the case ofblocks of a long length, it may be advantageous to provide a number ofspaced-apart notches in each of the two side walls thereof so that theycan be stacked atop both blocks of the same size as well as blocks ofsmaller heights and lengths, to thereby provide still greaterversatility.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, there are illustrated a number of blocks which can belike the blocks 10, however, the blocks 20 have an outwardly extendingflange 21 on each of its sidewalls l1 and 12. These flanges 21 aresubstantially parallel to the supporting surface for the blocks, andform support platforms for supporting a third block atop and parallel toa pair of lower blocks, as illustrated in FIG. 6. v

These flanges 21 can be provided by simply cutting and scoring thesidewalls 11 and 12 in a fashion such as to permit them to be pressedout of the material forming the sidewalls 11 and 12, as generallyillustrated. Alternatively, they can be either affixed to or be moldedintegrally with the sidewalls 11 and 12.

In all other respects, the blocks 20 can be like the blocks 10. Whilethe flanges 21 do provide an additional feature and extend theversatility of the blocks, it is apparent that they prevent the blocksfrom being nestably stacked as compactly as the blocks 10.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, there is illustrated still another shape which theblocks can assume. In this case, the sidewalls 11 and 12 flow and mergewith one another in a fashion such as to provide an apex which is farclosely resemble the cross-section of, for example, a quanset hut ratherthan an inverted V. The locking notches 13 and 14, of course, arecorrespondingly shaped to seatingly receive these more rounded apexes,as can be seen in FIG. 9.

As indicated in phantom, these blocsk of FIGS. 8 and 9 likewise can haveoutwardly extending flanges 21 provided on the sidewalls thereof, forforming a support platform, as in the case of the blocks shown in FIGS.6 and 7.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a block having still anothercross-sectional configuration. In this case, the sidewalls 11 and 12each are angularly bent to form two sidewall sections which are atdifferent angles so that the cross-section generally resembles thecrosssection of an umbrella tent. The upper sidewall sections preferablyare at an angle with respect to one another such that a relativelypointed apex is formed, while the lower sidewall sections should extendgenerally parallel to one another. Blocks of this configuration likewisecan have outwardly extending flanges 21, shown in phantom thereon inFIGS. 10 and 11.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, a square corner and a round orcurved-corner block also can be provided. These corner blocks likewisecan be of a crosssectional configuration corresponding to any one ofthose described above. The sidewalls 11 and 12 of the comers have anappropriate number of locking notches 13 and 14 in them, to permit thecorners to be stacked atop other comer or other straight blocks. Thesecorners also permit the blocks to be lined up end-to-end to form variousstructures and designs such as, for example, a train or a fortress of asquare, rectangular or circular shape.

The blocks further can be of a design which permits wheels and axles tobe affixed to them to form various movable objects resembling cars,trains and the like. A block of this type is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and17, and it can be seen that one manner in which this can be accomplishedis by forming a circular-shaped axle receiving aperture 26 in opencommunication with the locking notches 13 and 14. An axle having a pairof wheels affixed to it can then be inserted within these apertures 26,as generally illustrated in FIG. 17. Preferably these apertures 26 areformed such that a pair of opposed nibs 27 are provided, between whichthe axle must be snap-actingly inserted so as to removably affix theaxle within the apertures 26.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, amont those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained andcertain changes may be made in the above article. Accordingly, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

Now that the invention hasbeen described, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A plurality of toy building blocks each being of a unitaryconstruction and having a pair of generally rectangular-shaped sidewallsof substantially the same dimensions which are permanently joinedtogether at the upper edges thereof and are angularly disposed withrespect to one another and have their lower edges generally parallel soas to have a cross-section which generally resembles an inverted V,wherein each of said plumore rounded. Blocks of this configuration mroerality of blocks has an outwardly extending flange on the outer surfaceof each of said sidwalls, said flanges being disposed substantiallyparallel to siad lower edges said flanges forming a support platformwhereby a third block may be stacked between and atop two others of saidblocks by seating the lower edges of its sidewalls on one of saidflanges on each of said two other blocks when said two other blocks arein adjacent relation with their said edges parallel; said lower edges ofeach said block having means to seatingly receive the upper connectedsidewall edges of at least two others of said blocks disposed beneathand perpendicular thereto and adjacent to each other, said meanscomprising at least two pairs of aligned locking notches in said loweredges, each said pair being correspondingly formed to receive saidconnected edges of one other block.

2. The toy building blocks of claim 1, wherein all of said blocks areidentical to one another.

3. The toy building blocks of claim 2, wherein the angles between thepair of sidewalls of each of said plurality of toy building blocks areequal, to thereby permit said toy building blocks to be nestably stackedatop one another.

4. The toy building blocks of claim 3, wherein the minimum spacingbetween the centerlines of said two pairs of aligned locking notches isat least equal to the spacing or distance between the lower edges ofsaid pair of sidewalls of one of said toy building blocks.

5. The toy building blocks of claim 4, wherein the distances between thecenterlines of said pairs of locking notches and the end edges of saidblocks adjacent said respective pairs are at least equal to one-half theheight of said blocks.

6. The toy building blocks of claim 1, including a plurality of blocksof different lengths, the angles between the pair of sidewalls of eachof said plurality of blocks being equal, whereby said plurality ofblocks can be nestably stacked atop one another.

7. The toy building blocks of claim 6, wherein the minimum spacingbetween the centerlines of said two pairs of aligned locking notches isat least equal to the spacing or distance between the lower edges ofsaid pair of sidewalls of one of said blocks.

8. The toy building block of claim 7, wherein the distances between thecenterlines of said pairs of locking notches and the end edges of saidblocks adjacent said respective pairs are at least equal to one-half theheight of said blocks.

9. The toy building blocks of claim 1, including a plurality of blocksof different lengths and heights.

10. The toy buildng blocks of claim 8, wherein the angles between thesidewalls of each of said blocks of the same length and height areequal.

11. The toy building blocks of claim 9, wherein the angles between thesidewalls of all of said plurality of blocks are equal.

1. A plurality of toy building blocks each being of a unitaryconstruction and having a pair of generally rectangular-shaped sidewallsof substantially the same dimensions which are permanently joinedtogether at the upper edges thereof and are angularly disposed withrespect to one another and have their lower edges generally parallel soas to have a cross-section which generally resembles an inverted V,wherein each of said plurality of blocks has an outwardly extendingflange on the outer surface of each of said sidwalls, said flanges beingdisposed substantially parallel to siad lower edges said flanges forminga support platform whereby a third block may be stacked between and atoptwo others of said blocks by seating the lower edges of its sidewalls onone of said flanges on each of said two other blocks when said two otherblocks are in adjacent relation with their said edges parallel; saidlower edges of each said block having means to seatingly receive theupper connected sidewall edges of at least two others of said blocksdisposed beneath and perpendicular thereto and adjacent to each other,said means comprising at least two pairs of aligned locking notches insaid lower edges, each said pair being correspondingly formed to receivesaid connected edges of one other block.
 2. The toy building blocks ofclaim 1, wherein all of said blocks are identical to one another.
 3. Thetoy building blocks of claim 2, wherein the angles between the pair ofsidewalls of each of said plurality of toy building blocks are equal, tothereby permit said toy building blocks to be nestably stacked atop oneanother.
 4. The toy building blocks of claim 3, wherein the minimumspacing between the centerlines of said two pairs of aliGned lockingnotches is at least equal to the spacing or distance between the loweredges of said pair of sidewalls of one of said toy building blocks. 5.The toy building blocks of claim 4, wherein the distances between thecenterlines of said pairs of locking notches and the end edges of saidblocks adjacent said respective pairs are at least equal to one-half theheight of said blocks.
 6. The toy building blocks of claim 1, includinga plurality of blocks of different lengths, the angles between the pairof sidewalls of each of said plurality of blocks being equal, wherebysaid plurality of blocks can be nestably stacked atop one another. 7.The toy building blocks of claim 6, wherein the minimum spacing betweenthe centerlines of said two pairs of aligned locking notches is at leastequal to the spacing or distance between the lower edges of said pair ofsidewalls of one of said blocks.
 8. The toy building block of claim 7,wherein the distances between the centerlines of said pairs of lockingnotches and the end edges of said blocks adjacent said respective pairsare at least equal to one-half the height of said blocks.
 9. The toybuilding blocks of claim 1, including a plurality of blocks of differentlengths and heights.
 10. The toy buildng blocks of claim 8, wherein theangles between the sidewalls of each of said blocks of the same lengthand height are equal.
 11. The toy building blocks of claim 9, whereinthe angles between the sidewalls of all of said plurality of blocks areequal.